The Rise of Pattern and Colour

If you have ever walked around the streets of Sydney’s CBD you might notice that most people are dressed in black(1). Perhaps it’s because black is a pragmatic, versatile, and professional “colour” that doesn’t require much thought in the mornings when assembling the day’s outfit?

Or perhaps Sydneysider’s reliance on black reflects more than just black’s symbolism of power, mystery and sophistication? Could it be that black is worn either consciously or subconsciously for spiritual protection? Perhaps our daily lives are so stressed in this current crazy “dog eat dog” world that we dress in black to feel protected?

I was immediately struck by the kaleidoscope of colour and pattern generated by the letter forms of the months of the year. Patterning hasn’t enjoyed popularity in the fashion industry since the sixties.

Traditional dress of Mishing Tribe, Wikipedia

Its also interesting that many tribal cultures feature pattern and colour on their clothing. Tribal cultures are more attuned to their spiritual roots. Perhaps their is a connection between the two?

I can see the winds of change approaching. Gone will be the predominance of black. A pattern and colour renaissance is upon us reflecting a growing awareness that their is more to life than the materially driven social and economic norms of our times.

What’s important and defining are the things we all share. Love, unity, togetherness. As long as we have a culture that suppresses these ideas in favour of negative human traits like greed, selfishness, and lust, as long as these are promoted, we will exist in opposition to each other and we will be exploited by corporations that prey upon these negative traits of humanity.

– Russell Brand

Notes

(1) Off course there are always exceptions. I would regularly seek out shops like Johnston and Bell or Alannah Hill for my “shot” of colour and pattern.